(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray
(D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and a member
of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement
opposing fee increases proposed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to medical
care for military retirees. The fee hikes, which would affect TRICARE benefits
for military retirees under the age of 65, could significantly increase
“out-of-pocket” health care costs for those who have earned these benefits.
“Targeting the health benefits of those who have
served and sacrificed for our nation is the wrong approach to trimming the
defense budget. Affordable health care is an essential part of the promise we
make to those who sign up to serve and one we have to keep in good times and in
bad. Especially now, as many working age retirees struggle to find work, these
benefits should be closely guarded.
“While I commend Secretary Gates for stepping up to
the plate to cut Defense spending, I strongly believe that balancing the budget
on the backs of military retirees is misguided. I have fought these fee
increases under President Bush and will continue to do so in the current
Administration. As more details about the 2012 budget proposal emerge, I will
continue to work with the Department of Defense to ensure that our service
members hard won benefits are protected.”
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